This is a very short chapter. It set's the atmosphere of the next chapter up nicely. Very short and does skip over a couple of months.

Enjoy!

Chapter 12: Spring Comes

The next Hogsmeade visit was on Valentine's Day. Harry had no one to go with as Ron had asked Hermione out at the end of January, after much prompting from Harry, who had managed to get Ron to tell him how he felt about Hermione. Harry was surprised when Hermione said 'yes' but when he watched them sitting together, laughing and talking, he realised they were perfect for each other. Looking at them now he felt happiness blossoming out of his heart.

He still had had no reply from Bonnie, though Claire had said she'd received his letter. Apparently she'd ignored it, she was upset by the sounds of it.

At the beginning of February at the end of Transfiguration he went up to McGonagall and asked: "Is it only Wizard's and Witches who can go to Hogsmeade?"

"Yes, it is. Why?"

Harry ruffled his hair feeling nervous. "See there's this girl I like, Bonnie Wright, a Muggle, and I was just wondering if I'd be able to invite her on the trip into Hogsmeade. Her sister is in Gryffindor."

McGonagall's face was stern but she looked deep into Harry's eyes. "I'm sure that can be arranged for you, Potter. I will speak to Professor Dumbledore. I will get back to you on it. If all is okay, write a letter to her, and I'll take it to her personally for you."

Harry nodded and left the classroom. He badly wanted to patch things up with her. He hoped his invitation would be accepted. In reality he liked Bonnie Wright a lot. She was everything he looked for in a girl.

That night McGonagall came to the Common Room and was delighted to inform Harry that Bonnie could come to Hogwarts for the Hogsmeade trip. Taking his quill and parchment, he made his way to the Owlery where he wrote a letter to Bonnie, but instead of using Hedwig as she was out hunting, used Claire's tawny owl. He had already asked Claire if he could borrow her.

The Owl's name was Pecker, though he could not understand why, until the Owl began to peck him on the arm as he tried to tie the letter to its legs.

The letter he wrote was worded thus:

Dear Bonnie,

Before throwing this letter away I would just like to ask you a simple question: would you like to attend the Hogsmeade trip with me on Valentine's Day? If you do please meet me at the Hogsmeade station. I would love to spend the day with you. The headmaster has already agreed to let you come, and it would brighten my day if I could see you.

Please, Bonnie, I do love you very much, lighten my heart with yours,

With love and kisses,

Harry

-xxxx-

He watched as the Owl flew away. With luck the Owl should reach Bonnie in two days. It was only another ten days till the Hogsmeade trip.


The morning of Valentine's Day came, opening in a variety of spring colours. The remnants of Winter was fading fast and everyday was warmer then before. No reply had come from Bonnie though Claire's Owl had returned the day before.

Harry woke up feeling dispirited. He had half-a-mind to not go to Hogsmeade but said to himself that he shouldn't miss it just because Bonnie wasn't there.

His morning brightened up a bit more when a card came for Hermione. It was from Ron who (admitted in writing) that he had fancied Hermione for several years and wanted to go out with her to Hogsmeade alone. Feeling sorry (though she didn't say that) Hermione agreed to go out with Ron, which meant that Harry would be alone during the day.

As he prepared to leave Claire came up to him.

"Harry, Bonnie said to me to tell you to go to the station."

"She's coming?" Harry's heart lightened.

"I think so." Claire replied then scuttled off to join her friends who were waiting for her.

Feeling happier, Harry strode down to Hogsmeade station. Students were not allowed to go their but he had a signed form from McGonagall. As he stepped onto the platform, he spotted a girl sitting alone on a bench, looking lost, dejected and forlorn. It was Bonnie.

"Bonnie!" he cried. He ran over to her. "Hi," he said, grinning.

Bonnie looked up at him and smiled, but not the smile Harry loved, it was a sadder smile. "Hi, Harry."

"Um, well," he held out his arm, "do you want to go into Hogsmeade with me?"

"It's why you asked me wasn't it?" Bonnie said,

Harry couldn't help smiling. He pulled her to her feet and led her along the paved road that led into the village. All around them were students mellowing around the shops. Harry and Bonnie went into each shop, exploring every inch.

They went into Honeydukes and Bonnie was overwhelmed by the sight of sweets and chocolate. As a treat Harry brought sweets for himself and Bonnie, as well as a nice quill pen and parchment for Bonnie.

He took her into one of the pubs and bought her a Butterbeer. She loved the taste of it.

They talked about ordinary life and Harry found himself telling Bonnie about the life he had always longed for and how it had come true. Leaving the Dursley's to join the Magical world had been a blessing, but Bonnie couldn't understand how someone so young could be hated his blood relatives.

Harry didn't feel like explaining it.

About three-o-clock he took her back to the station where she would take the train home.

"It's been a lovely day Harry," Bonnie said, smiling the smile Harry loved, "Thank you for thinking of me."

"Well," he shook his shoulders, "I like you Bonnie, a lot, I don't know how much though or whether I can take this further."

Harry suddenly found himself holding Bonnie's hands, his fingers gently massaging her hands, and then, as if by accident, they kissed on the lips.

It seemed like an eternity before they parted and when they did Harry longed for more. The girl standing in front of him was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, he was sure of that.

Bonnie looked into his eyes, scraped a bit of his fringe off his face and kissed him gently again. Then she stepped away and said: "Harry, I'll miss you. Come and see me over the summer."

"I will," Harry breathed. As she stepped onto the train, Harry waved and shouted: "We'll continue this over the summer"

Bonnie seemed to laugh and then the train was moving and Bonnie was gone. He would not see her till the end of June and for Harry it already felt like a hundred years had gone by since that kiss.

He was in love.


Harry was in a daze for most of the following week and found himself in detention for not paying attention in Potions or Transfiguration; he earned extra homework in Charms for not listening to the instructions.

However after those incidents he decided to concentrate and pushed all thoughts of Bonnie out of his head.

The next Quidditch Match of the season was played: Gryffindor verses Ravenclaw. Ravenclaw was defeated 30 – 200 points. Harry had caught the Snitch easily.

Nearly two weeks into March bad news came in the Daily Prophet which caused Harry to realise that Voldemort was not giving up.

Ellis Parker reported this:

ORDER MEMBERS: 1 KILLED, 2 MISSING

Last night Albus Dumbledore announced that Kelly Jones had been killed whilst out shopping for her two infant children. A group of Death Eaters, masked, attacked her, performed a curse that killed her, and fled the scene, leaving the Dark Mark floating above her body.

It was also revealed that Rhian Wellows and Ferora Dersy disappeared two days ago and have not been seen since. It is widely known that many Witches and Wizards have joined the Order of the Phoenix since He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was declared active.

"We are doing all we can to stop You-Know-Who, but we cannot predict when he will strike! It's virtually impossible." Cornelius Fudge, Minister for Magic, declared last night.

However many of the magical community are begging for Fudge to resign.

Paula Stokes says: "If it all came to it, Fudge would save his own skin, rather then save ours! Albus Dumbledore should take his place or someone like him!"

Yet with many more murders to come, this reporter, believes that it will only be a matter of time before Cornelius Fudge steps down his office.

Harry looked at Ron and Hermione speechless.

"I can't believe it," Hermione whispered, "he's picking us off one at a time!"

"He's not strong enough to fight us all together." Harry replied looking down at the photos of the three witches that decorated the front.

Harry couldn't help wondering what Voldemort was doing now, and whether he was happy, angry or sad.


As the next few months passed and flew into early June, Harry found himself revising for exams. No messages had come his way since the one before Christmas and Harry found himself wondering why but then he realised it was probably because the person sending them was dead.

Ron and Hermione were now officially a couple, and Hermione who had written to Victor Krum had told him that she and Ron were going out. He had not pleased with that but supported her decision.

Harry and Bonnie kept up solid contact.

Harry survived a week of exams, narrowly by sleeping, eating, drinking and revising. He was glad when they were over.

As he sat with the other Gryffindors celebrating the end of the exams a large tawny owl swooped into the common room through the open room. It landed right beside Harry, stuck out its leg, waiting patiently.

The Owl did not belong to Claire so Harry was sure the note did not come from Bonnie.

People were staring at him. Hermione nudged him. Quickly Harry took the note from the Owl, unwrapped it and read the message, his heart beating fast.

Long time no see, eh, Harry?

If you want answers, come and meet me at the Shrieking Shack tonight at midnight.

I will be there.

I guarantee it.

-S-

"Harry?" Ron asked peering over his shoulder.

The rest of the students were sitting talking or working.

"It's from my contact," he whispered. "they want to meet me, tonight."

"You can't go Harry," Neville said, for he had joined them.

"It could be a trap!" Hermione insisted quietly.

"Never led me astray though, have they?" Harry asked.

Hermione bit her lip, obviously perplexed.

Seeing her looked upset, Harry offered: "Look come with me. All three of you. The Cloak will cover all of us."

Hermione thought about it but seeing as she wouldn't change Harry's mind, said: "Alright. We'll come." She looked at her watch. "It's nearly 11:30. A lot of people will still be up because of the end of the exams."

"We'd better go now." Harry murmured. "Wait here."

He rushed up to his dormitory's, grabbed his cloak and met them outside the portrait hole. Though Harry didn't want Neville to come, he had proved himself before, and Harry did not want to leave him out.

"Here." He wrapped the cloak around them.

"I didn't know you had one of these, Harry." Neville said, obviously amazed.

"It belonged to my father. He used it when he was here." Harry explained.

It took them nearly half-an-hour to get to the Whomping Willow. Hermione performed the freezing-charm and nimbly pressed the knot. Harry climbed into the hole first, his wand out, Neville followed, with Ron and Hermione walking behind.

Finally they came to the Shrieking Shack and climbed into the house.

Neville shivered. "I don't like this place."

"Neither do I." Ron said.

They checked each room but found nothing. No one was there.

"It was false. The note was false!" Harry yelled suddenly.

"No it wasn't." Hermione said, swinging Harry round.

Standing in the doorway was a man, short, thin, and balding. He was the last person Harry had last expected to help him after all he had done.

TBC

So, next chapter we find out practically everything! Anymore guesses as to who it might be?

Review Responses:

Phoenixtears: Thanks for the review. I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

LunaShadows: You're right about judging people too quick. Everything will be revealed in the next chapter. I have to say this, that your fan fic (can't remember the name) was really good and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it! You are a very talented writer!

Got-lotr: Yes, go and update and I'll update mine!

Ash Knight: The theory on the Veil was really hard to explain in a few simple sentences. I'm glad you understood it. You'll be finding out who the heirs of Gryffindor and Hufflepuff are in the next chapter. Thank you fore reading.

Moon Lace: Hi Serry! If all goes to plan Harry and Bonnie will have a love life to look forward to, but it depends if Harry survives this year! Will Harry find another Veil? You'll have to wait and see! With the heirs of the four houses I thought long and hard over Ravenclaw's heir, and Luna seemed the obvious choice! Also it does explain how she could hear voices through the Veil (in my opinion). The other heirs of the houses will be revealed by Dumbledore to Harry next chapter! Any guesses who Hufflepuff's heir might be? And Malfoy…I wanted to make him annoying and still annoyed at Harry. He hasn't made much of an appearance in this fic because he doesn't fit into the story line that well. But I decided to make him pay in at least some way before the story is over and…well…when Harry is in a mood he gets really powerful! I didn't know what spell Harry should use on Malfoy so I settled for the one used by James. Thank you for reviewing and reading, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!